Why Candace Parker's daughter will walk her into Women's Basketball Hall of Fame
When Candace Parker is inducted to the WBHOF, her daughter, Lailaa, will be walking with her, taking yet another step in her career with her.
Candace Parker has a photo on her desk at her home in Los Angeles from when she won her first WNBA championship with the Sparks in 2016.Parker is crying, but her daughter Lailaa Williams, who was then 7 years old, is yelling in Parker's ear, "We did it!"There's no truer statement to describe the relationship between the Lady Vols legend and her daughter, who was born in May 2009 after Parker's historic rookie season in Los Angeles."
She knows that we win together, we lose together," Parker told Knox News on June 25 at the Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame.Williams was along for the ride of Parker's incredible professional career – Parker was pregnant with her during the 2008 season she won an Olympic gold medal, WNBA Rookie of the Year and MVP – so it only makes sense that she'll escort Parker during her induction to the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame on June 27 at the Tennessee Theatre."It just seemed like we'd gone through everything together, and she's been right by my side," Parker said.
"In terms of sacrificing for me to achieve my dreams, she's done that the most, to be honest with you, living in different countries and leaving school to go to my game, staying up late, all those things. So I just feel like it was right to have her walk me in."Williams, now 17 and set to play volleyball at UC San Diego next year, has grown up into someone who could pick her up during hard times.
Parker didn't get to finish her final WNBA season in 2023, suffering a season-ending injury while playing for the Las Vegas Aces. But Williams was there for Parker to lean on as she dealt with the emotions of retiring in 2024 and rehab from the injury that ended her career."It was special, because she was a part of it and remembers the journey," Parker said.
"So I think she picks me up every single day. She keeps me humble for sure, because she could care less if I play basketball or dribble ball, like I'm her mom first."The pair, who share the middle name Nicole, grew up together.
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